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Little-Brown, September 2006
Reviewed by Barbara Fielding
Bella Swan is the new kid at Forks High School. She has recently moved
from her mom's home in Phoenix to Forks, Washington where her father is
Police Chief. She loves sunny Phoenix but her decision to move came when
her mother remarried. The dark and damp weather in Forks is a tough
adjustment but when her presence actually repels a classmate, she begins
to worry about her decision.
The Cullens, Edward, Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper and Alice, sit alone and
separate from everyone else in the cafeteria. They are reported to be the
foster children of Dr. Carlisle and Esme Cullen. Bella is fascinated with
the angelic perfection of the family who keep to themselves. When Bella is
assigned a seat at Edward Cullen's table in Biology Lab, he appears to be
instantly revolted by her. He runs from the room and cuts school for the
next few days. When he returns he is like a different person. Now he finds
her attractive and interesting. Bella feels the pull too, though she
doesn't yet realize it's the beginning of a strange and dangerous
attraction.
The Cullens are vampires. Blood thirsty killers, they try not to feed on
human blood, they hunt animals. It's an unusual life for a vampire but it
allows them to somewhat settle down and live among humans. Edward has been
alone for so long and frozen in time as a seventeen year old. He is bored
with life and restless until Bella comes along. But she is such a
temptation for him. How will he keep her safe when he is the greatest
danger to her?
TWILIGHT is a young adult runaway bestseller. It is such a compelling and
well written story that it's hard to categorize as an exclusive young
adult book, it is more like an ageless love story. It's no wonder kids are
crazy about this book. I loved it as well.
The story is written in first person narrative from Bella's point of view.
It has the effect of pulling you into her story and emotions. It's a fast
and intense journey into first love. I had one or two quibbles with the
story: Bella's parents are portrayed as completely clueless idiots, often
mere window dressing; and Bella is not as strong a character as she could
be. She is portrayed as a girl so helplessly in love she's a danger to
herself. It's almost overdone.
Author Stephanie Meyer is reported to have dreamed the scene in the
thirteenth chapter and developed the story into a full length, book.
TWILIGHT is 498 pages long and is Book One in a four book series titled
NEW MOON, ECILIPSE and BREAKING DAWN. TWILIGHT the movie was released in
late 2008 but the movie version leaves too many important events out. You
really should read the book. This is a wonderful love story.
March 2009
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